Top 5 Security Practices For Big Data

In our last post, we examined the security concerns that crop up when using big data for business. There are a lot of uniuqe challenges and failing to address them can result in dire consequences. What’s comforting about all this is the fact that big data environments can be locked down by applying many of the same security practices that have been traditionally used to secure databases, operating systems, and networks.

1. Enforce Polices For Privacy Purposes

When it comes to big data security, businesses must work to achieve a careful balance between privacy and accessibility. Who has access to what information? How long does that information need to be retained? These details should preferably be hashed before a single file is moved to your big data platform. Doing so will reduce the liklihood of the company being exposed to compliance penalties or other privacy- related issues.

2. Use Tried and True Security Technology

In our previous post, we discussed how the inherited flaws of core technologies such as Hadoop and NoSQL databases are responsible for a huge chunk of the security concerns associated with big data. Since you’re essentially at a disadvantage by default, using anything short of industry standard security technology is a diservice to your business. From the file system to the email inbox to the network perimeter, use well known, reliable security tools to protect your data.

3. Be Smart With Data Access

A big data security plan will protect the raw data on your servers as well as the insights that spit out the other end of your analytics system. Having said that, you can rest even easier at night by simply playing it smart. Sure, it’s your stuff, but the more often you put your hands on your data, the more vulnerable it becomes to leaks or mishaps. Keep your mission-critical data easily accessible, but only use it when necessary.

4. Choose Your Big Data Vendor Wisely

If you’re getting help from a third party service provider, they will more than likely incur a huge portion of the security burden. Still, it’s your data to lose, so you need to be dilgent in finding a service that can provide the peace of mind you desire. Make sure the vendor is equipped with all the security features, both physical and virtual, needed to protect the information in their possession. Your big data partner should take security as seriuos as you, if not more considering their reputation and position.

5. Educate Your Staff On Big Data Security

Knowledge is the most dependable weapon in the ongoing mission of IT security. You must know the risks, reprecussions, and how to minimize their impact. At the end of the day, data protection is the responsibility of your organization. The members of your team should be expertly famliar with best security practices for anti-virus software, encryption, firewall, and other systems. Each employee should be properly educated and trained on the best security practices across the organization.

One study calculated the cost of a data breach to $194 per record compromised. For some organizations, that number easily tallies into millions. Without giving security the proper attention, a big data deployment could quickly turn into a big catastrophe that is nearly impossible to recover from.